What should the minimum illumination at workstations be?

The minimum illumination at workstations in electronics assembly is specified to be 1000 lumens per square meter (lm/m²), which corresponds to the demand for high visibility and detailed work in this environment. Adequate lighting is essential to ensure that assembly operators can accurately view components, solder connections, and inspect work for quality and compliance with standards such as IPC-A-610.

Improper lighting levels can lead to mistakes such as misaligned components or overlooked defects, which can substantially impact the reliability and performance of the final product. This requirement for 1000 lm/m² provides sufficient light for detailed tasks while reducing glare and minimizing eye strain, fostering an efficient and safe working environment.

In contrast, levels below this standard are generally considered insufficient for tasks that require high precision, potentially resulting in poor quality assemblies. Thus, choosing 1000 lm/m² as the minimum illumination aligns with industry best practices for quality assurance in electronic assembly work.